HALF WAY DOWN
Do This ... Every Time

Press the trigger button Half Way Down!

Here's why:

Recently, as I was giving my standard lecture about Taking Digital Pictures in one of my workshops, the words just popped out of my mouth. It was what you might call an epiphany (a moment of sudden revelation or insight).

"Think of it this way," I said. "Until you press the trigger button half way down, your camera has absolutely no idea what you want it to do!

It's like if you pulled up to the ATM at your bank, looked directly at the machine and said "I want some money."

Yes, the ATM machine is working. Its little screens are illuminated, and it's little lights are flashing. (And let's assume that you have a few bucks in your account!) But, believe me, it didn't see you coming, recognize you, and assume that you needed to take $30 out so you could scoot over to Mickey D's for a quick, nourishing lunch then over to the grocery for a six pack and a dozen eggs.

And, in much the same way ... Yes, you've turned the camera on, removed the lens cap, and pointed it in the general direction of whatever it is you want a picture of.

But - just like the ATM - something else has to be done before the camera will deliver that hoped for image.

The ATM needs information - your debit or credit card and your PIN. And then you have to punch in the numbers so that it can deliver your much-needed cash. Right?

Your digital camera needs critical information too. And it CANNOT begin gathering that information UNTIL you press the trigger button half way down.

What information, you ask?

Well, for one thing, the camera needs to be activated so that its light meter can see how much light it has to work with.

For another, will you need to use the flash? If so, the battery has to charge the balast before it will fire.

And another - it has to focus on the subject you're pointing at.

And another ... you will probably use the zoom to compose the shot. That takes a moment too.

And so on ...

NONE of these things happens UNTIL YOU PRESS THE BUTTON ... RIGHT! NOW YOU'VE GOT IT! ... HALF WAY DOWN!

And, just in case you're wondering - This has to happen before EVERY shot!

Okay. Enough said. I've harped on it long enough.

For full details on this and other critical considerations, see these pages: Quick Tips, Tips for Beginners, Shutter Lag.

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